How do K-12 technology leaders communicate the value of their work in an era of increasing expectations, tighter budgets, and rapidly evolving technologies?

In this episode of the Consortium for School Networking Podcast, we explore key insights from the recent CoSN webinar, Unlocking the Value of EdTech Investments, led by Frankie J. Jackson, CETL®, RTSBA. Joining Frankie for the discussion were Michael Flood, founder and CEO of Alpine Frog; Maria Stavropoulos, CETL®, Director of Technology at Northbrook School District 28; and William Brackett, Director of Technology at Oak Park Elementary District 97.

Drawing from decades of experience in district leadership, the panel examined one of the most important challenges facing EdTech leaders today: how to effectively tell the story behind technology investments.

In this episode, we discuss:

Why EdTech value doesn't speak for itself—and why leaders must tell the story
The increasing expectations and financial pressures facing today's K-12 technology leaders
Moving from traditional technology thinking to leadership thinking
Understanding Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), Return on Investment (ROI), and Value of Investment (VOI)
Why some of the most important outcomes are difficult to quantify
Real-world examples involving bus Wi-Fi, Advanced Placement access, cybersecurity, and network reliability
Measuring what matters and defining success before making investments
Aligning technology initiatives with district strategic plans
Communicating differently with boards, finance teams, educators, and parents
The growing importance of storytelling as a leadership skill
Why collaboration and professional learning remain essential for technology leaders

Throughout the conversation, we reflect on how technology leaders are increasingly being called upon to serve not only as technical experts, but also as strategists, communicators, and advocates for student success.

Because technology investments are about more than devices and infrastructure.

They're about opportunity.

They're about impact.

And ultimately, they're about creating lasting value for students, educators, and communities.

Resources

Watch the original webinar, Unlocking the Value of Edtech Investments

Learn more about CoSN Professional Learning:
https://www.cosn.org/professional-learning/

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https://www.cosn.org/events/

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This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by CoSN and the edCircuit editorial team before publication.